The 2023 winners of South Africa’s Sustainable Fashion Awards have been crowned—a win for the environment, fashion and local flair!
Cape Town, South Africa (24 November 2023) — The 2023 cohort of sustainable fashion’s finest have officially been crowned by the judges at the 2023 South African Sustainable Fashion Awards by Twyg.
At a glittering event in Cape Town, the formal proceedings soon kicked off. In a fashion movement as important as sustainability, all those who had made it as far as the finalists list deserved to be named and famed.
Still, the sustainable spotlight was ready to shine bright on the top-tier creatives who, after a rigorous judging process overseeing ten categories and one ultimate winner, were finally announced.
Without further ado:
The 2023 Winners of the Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards
Emerging Designer Award: This award is given to a current student or young emerging designer who is challenging fashion’s status quo, and engaging with environmental and social responsibilities in a playful and creative way. The 2023 winner is Khumo.
Accessories Award: Recognising a brand or designer who implements ethical labour practices, limits the use of toxic chemicals and utilises sustainable materials in the design and production of accessories. The 2023 winner is VERSE.
Footwear Award: Honouring a brand, cobbler or designer who makes quality, durable footwear using sustainable materials, implements ethical labour practices and limits the use of toxic chemicals. The 2023 winner is Reefer Shoes.
Innovative Design and Materials Award: This award spotlights a designer who uses innovative techniques to reduce textile waste and the negative environmental impact of the industry. The 2023 winner is sinCHUI.
Trans-seasonal Design Award: A big nod to quality design that aspires to be timeless and made to last through versatility and multi-functionality. The winning brand/designer is also invested in the life of their garments and supports slower production cycles. The 2023 winner is MUNKUS.
Farm-to-Fashion Award: This award celebrates brands or designers committed to cultivating transparent and traceable supply chains and advocating for regenerative textile practices, making garments from 100% natural fabric, and using no fossil-fuel-based synthetics and as few toxins and chemicals as possible. The 2023 winner is Botanical Nomad.
Nicholas Coutts Artisanal Fashion Award: Focused on a designer who uses artisanal methods to create fashion that foregrounds the skills of garment workers and local communities, the 2023 winner is UNI FORM by Luke Radloff. The prize awards a R10 000 cash prize from the Coutts family in honour of the late Nicholas Coutts who explored traditional techniques in his designs.
Social Impact Award: A celebration of organisations working in the fashion and textile system, this award honours those who have a direct positive impact on people, such as raising awareness about social concerns, creating employment opportunities, and encouraging good and fair working conditions. The 2023 winner is Taking Care of Business.
Retail Award: The Retail Award award recognises a retailer or retailing initiative that prioritises sustainability by including pre-loved and gently worn clothes, swap shops, garment rental and similar activities, as well as supporting local producers, vertical and regional supply chains, and sustainable design and manufacturing. The 2023 winner is Style Rotate.
Tastemaker Award: Honouring a photographer, stylist, influencer or content creator who has actively promoted slow, sustainable fashion and/or slow living over the last 12 months, the 2023 winner is Felipe Mazibuko.
After the ten individual category awards were given out, it was time to name the overall winner of the evening, the recipient of the coveted annual Changemaker Award. The winner of the Changemaker Award is selected by the judges from the highest scorers in the various categories and receives a substantial R100 000 cash prize to further their career.
The grand Changemaker Award went to Thando Ntuli for her brand MUNKUS.
Founded in 2019 by Ntuli, MUNKUS creates intergenerational modern pieces influenced by the classic silhouettes of 1980s and ’90s South African fashion. Each MUNKUS garment is designed to improve with age, thanks to the use of sustainable textiles that are treated to withstand time.
While the prizes themselves were presented to only a few, “This significant occasion would not have been possible without all 31 of the finalists, who are all making changes across the industry,” said Jackie May, founder of Twyg and the Sustainable Fashion Awards.
“To change everything, we need everyone – and Twyg is incredibly proud of the finalists who are playing their role in this mission. Each and every finalist’s dedication to sustainable and circular design practices is a testament to the power of conscious creativity. We are delighted to celebrate this year’s winners and look forward to seeing how they continue to shape the future of the fashion industry.”